Bearing assemblies for a turbomachine

Abstract

Bearing assemblies for a turbomachine include a first race statically coupled to a fixed engine housing, a second race coupled to a rotating shaft, a bearing cage disposed between the first race and the second race, and at least one bearing element disposed in the bearing cage. The bearing cage can include inlet channels to allow air to flow into the bearing cage and outlet channels that allow the air and lubricant mixture in the bearing cage to vent into adjacent compartments of the turbomachine. During operation, the inlet channels actively direct an airflow into the bearing cage. In the bearing cage, the air mixes with lubricant, and the air and lubricant mixture is expelled from the bearing cage through the outlet channels, thereby reducing dwell time of lubricant in the bearing assembly.